Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

The appellation is named after the small town of Rivesaltes, north of Perpignan, in the French region of Roussillon (northern Catalonia). The vineyards cover around 5,000 hectares of vines in 99 municipalities in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude départements in the dual region of Languedoc-Roussillon. The partly poor, calcareous soils produce low yields, but are not uniform throughout due to the size of the area. Only the two grape varieties Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (here Muscat de Rivesaltes) and Muscat d'Alexandrie (here Muscat Romain) are permitted

The sweet vin doux naturel is produced from overripe grapes that have already dried on the vine. In order to preserve the natural residual sugar of at least 100 g/l, the fermentation is stopped by adding ethyl alcohol and the wine is fortified to 15% alcohol by volume. There are lighter, fragrant versions with aromas of lemons and honey and stronger ones with a slightly bitter taste and orange aroma.

Well-known producers are the CV de Baixas winegrowers' cooperative, Domaine Boudau, Domaine Brial, Château de Caladroy, Cazes Frères, Château Corneilla, Domaine Força Réal, Château de Jau, Château de Nouvelles, Château Planeres, Domaine de Rozès, Domaine Sarda-Malet, Domaine Vaquer and Arnaud de Villeneuve. AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes may also be used in the other three VDN appellations of Banyuls, Maury and Rivesaltes, which are located in Roussillon, if the winegrower's vineyards are 100% planted with Muscat vines.